Why do our supplements come in blister packs?

When we buy dietary supplements, we might think we are getting a good deal by bringing home a big jar full of capsules. But the reality might be different, especially if those capsules enclose unstable molecules that tend to oxidize easily, such as Omega 3 polyunsaturated fats. That's why Omegor decides to package its pearls inside blister packs: find out what the benefits of this choice are! 

What differentiates Omega 3 from other fats and justifies many of their beneficial properties is their structure. It is precisely this that is referred to when they are called "polyunsaturated fats": as fats, they are more or less long chains of carbon atoms, but, compared with other fats, the carbon atoms in Omega 3s can be linked together by single or double bonds; the adjective "polyunsaturated" indicates the presence of more than one carbon-carbon double bond.

This seemingly purely technical detail is actually very important. In fact, fats that have only single bonds between their carbon atoms (so-called "saturated fats") have a linear structure that allows them to arrange themselves side by side, forming structures (such as cell membranes) that are compact and not very fluid.

Instead, the presence of double bonds induces folds in the chain of carbon atoms; the greater the number of double bonds, the greater the number of folds in the chain. This prevents unsaturated fats from packing tightly together and increases the fluidity of the structures in which they are present (such as the aforementioned cell membranes).

Monounsaturated fats, such as those found in olive oil, have only one double bond, while polyunsaturated fats (such as Omega 3 from fish) have a variable number depending on the fat being considered and greatly increase the fluidity of the membranes in which they are inserted, changing their functionality and that of the proteins within them.

For example, the presence of more fluid membranes in the nervous system is associated with faster nerve impulse transmission.

Unfortunately, however, double bonds make Omega 3 more unstable. In particular, they increase the tendency to oxidize compared with that of unsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

BothEPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)-the bioactive Omega 3s found in marine-derived supplements-are highly susceptible tooxidation; the former contains 5 carbon-carbon double bonds, the latter as many as 6, and any carbon atom that has no double bonds but is "squeezed" between two other carbons (the previous and the next) that have a double bond instead can be easily oxidized by various factors.

Oxidized omega 3: the consequences

Oxidized Omega 3 is synonymous with rancid Omega 3. This adjective, in itself, brings to mind something undesirable: no one would welcome the idea of consuming rancid olive or seed oil! Having the same attitude toward rancid fish, krill or microalgae oil is entirely legitimate.

But the reasons for not using oxidized Omega 3 go beyond legitimate disgust. In fact, the consequences of oxidation include a reduction in the amount of active Omega 3 intake and the presence of potentially toxic oxidized molecules.

In particular, the oxidation of EPA and DHA can lead to the formation of molecules such as F3-isoprostanes, F4-neuroprostanes, and malondialdehyde (MDA).

By reducing the amount of active Omega present in an oxidized supplement, the transformation of EPA and DHA into these molecules may reduce the effectiveness of the supplement itself. Proving that this is not simply an unfounded fear is the fact that products fortified with vitamin E (an effective antioxidant) have been associated with a greater ability to reduce blood triglycerides (one of the benefits of Omega 3 supplements).

On the other hand, oxidation of Omega 3 in dietary supplements brings with it a safety issue. For example, MDA (one of the molecules that can accumulate in oxidized products) induces mutations that have been associated, for example, with breast cancer. What's more, oxidation is a chain reaction that can end up damaging cell membranes and other components of the cell, causing oxidative stress that can have among its consequences:

- l'chronic low-grade inflammation, which in turn is associated with many health-threatening diseases and conditions (such as obesity);
- l'atherosclerosis which by compromising the well-being and function of arteries increases risks to cardiovascular health;
- the increased risk of Alzheimer's disease;
- the increased risk of cancer.

Unfortunately, not many studies have been conducted to verify the effects of oxidation of Omega 3 supplements on health; moreover, the available data come from short-term investigations, whereas it would be interesting to verify any consequences of prolonged intake of oxidized products.

For these reasons, only possible new research on the subject will be able to confirm or disprove fears about the danger of oxidation of Omega 3. In the meantime, it is right to keep your attention high and, when in doubt, choose supplements that provide greater protection from oxidation, such as those packaged in blister packs.

Omega 3 and oxidation: causes and solutions

The main causes of oxidation from which it is necessary to protect Omega 3 in dietary supplements are:

- light;
-oxygen;
- heat.

The first precaution to take is, therefore, to store Omega 3 supplements in the dark.

In addition, it should be kept in mind that exposure to light is even more harmful in the presence of impurities. From this point of view, products that come as loose capsules or beads inside jars or the like are inadvisable for two reasons:

- every time you open the jar the light entering inside can promote oxidation of Omega 3s;
- each time you handle the jar to extract capsules or pearls to take, you risk touching the others or contaminating them with impurities.

Therefore, products in which the capsules or beads are individually packaged, as in blister packs, are preferable and should be stored strictly away from light.

The single packaging allowed by the blister pack also defends Omega 3 from oxygen. Again, loose beads or capsules inside packages such as jars would be exposed to the pro-oxidant factor (oxygen) every time the package is opened, whereas in the case of the blister pack, contact with oxygen would be limited to the time the individual bead or capsule is taken.

Instead, the first precaution to be taken to protect Omega 3 from the pro-oxidant action of heat is to store them cool (even in the refrigerator!). In addition, since the oxidation of EPA and DHA can also be promoted by the heat released during production processes (especially during the deodorization phase, which is necessary to minimize an undesirable characteristic of the oil often used as a raw material: the fishy smell), it is useful to buy products of certified quality (such as those guaranteed by the IFOS brand. - International Fish Oil Standards).

The advantages of blister packaging and other useful expedients 

The oxidation rate of over-the-counter Omega 3 products can be frighteningly high: some estimates range from a low of 11% to a high of 62%.

The choice of blister packaging, which carries with it the advantages of greater protection from contamination by impurities and reduced exposure to oxygen, can be combined with other useful expedients to lower the risk of finding such products in your hands.

In addition to storing Omega 3 supplements in the dark and cool, it is a good idea:

- choose products whose components include antioxidants, such as the aforementioned vitamin E andastaxanthin (a natural component ofkrill oil);
- prefer supplements obtained through processes that guarantee their purity conducted according to the highest quality standards.

Finally, it should be kept in mind that the chemical form of EPA and DHA could also influence their oxidation. Indeed, it seems that phospholipids (typical form of krill oil) are more easily oxidized than triglycerides (typical of fish oil). The type of packaging, the presence of antioxidants, and precautions in storage might therefore be even more important when Omega 3 is taken in the form of phospholipids.

Interestingly, according to some experts, oxidation of supplements used in clinical trials may be responsible for some of the mixed results. By paying attention to all the aspects mentioned above, the likelihood of effective supplementation and the benefits to be gained from it could increase significantly.

Bibliographic references:

Albert BB, Cameron-Smith D, Hofman PL, Cutfield WS. Oxidation of marine omega-3 supplements and human health. Biomed Res Int. 2013;2013:464921. doi: 10.1155/2013/464921

Cameron-Smith D, Albert BB, Cutfield WS. Fishing for answers: is oxidation of fish oil supplements a problem? J Nutr Sci. 2015 Nov 23;4:e36. doi: 10.1017/jns.2015.26.